What's included in a guided fishing trip with NPA?
All trips with NPA include the use of high-quality Orvis fly rods, reels, waders, and boots. Half-day trips include one leader, terminal tackle, 6-8 flies, transportation to and from the fly shop, 4 hours of fishing, and drinks. Full-day and float trips include one leader, terminal tackle, 8-12 flies, lunch and beverages, transportation to and from the fly shop and eight hours of fishing.
What time of year is best?
We guide trips from April through October. Every month of the season has its perks, and there is always good fishing to be had. Different fisheries are better at different times of the year, but since we fish so many different rivers, streams, creeks, lakes and private ranches something is always fishing well.
Do you rent gear?
All of our trips include the use of high-quality Orvis waders, boots, rods, and reels. We do rent high-quality Orvis gear as well.
What rivers and lakes do you fish?
Most of the waters we fish are located in North Park. There are a few streams we fish that are just outside the park but are still part of our system and tributaries of the North Platte River. For a list of waters we have access to guide both public and private, please refer to the 'guide service page'.
Are fishing licenses included in the cost of the trip?
No. Licenses are not included in the cost of the trip. We do sell both Colorado and Wyoming licenses in our fly shop, and we'll be happy to get you the appropriate license before the trip. Licenses are sold by cash or check only. Licenses can also be purchased at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Service web page at https://cpw.state.co.us/
What is a typical guide gratuity?
A typical gratuity for a guide is 20% of the cost of the guide fee. An average tip is anywhere from $75-$150, where $100 for a full day is the average. Gratuity is not mandatory but is very much appreciated. This is an essential part of a guide's income so please consider a nice tip if you feel like your guide worked hard to give you a great experience.
What size fly rod should I bring?
North Park is very diverse and fly rods from 2-8 weights can be very useful. However, on a typical guide trip with North Park Anglers, a 9 ft., 5 or 6 wt. fly rod, with a weight-forward fly line is perfect. If you don't have one, we'll provide one. Feel free to contact the shop a few days before your trip to see what we recommend.
What type of leader and tippet?
We recommend letting your guide pick out a fresh leader for the day. Early in the season, we generally use 7_-9 ft., 2x and 3x leaders. As the season progresses, we'll use 7 1/2 -9 ft., 4x and 5x leaders. This can change by the day and river, and each guide has their preferences.
What kind of clothes should I bring?
Bring rain gear no matter what the weather report forecasts. If you don't have rain gear, we'll have extras (but can't guarantee they fit just right). Also, bring a fleece or other type of jacket (even in August). In the spring and fall bring winter hats and gloves, and also have warm fleece or heavy-duty long johns to wear under waders. In North Park, when storms roll through it gets cold fast, even in the summer.
Where should I meet my guide?
All trips start at the fly shop. Make sure to call (970) 723-4215 a few days before the trips to get an official start time. We typically meet between 7-8 a.m., but that can change depending on river/lake location and fishing conditions.
What can I expect to catch?
North Park is known for wild brown trout. With that being said, we enjoy a very diverse fishery. Depending on location we'll target browns, rainbows, brookies, and cutthroat. Most browns and rainbows average 12-16 inches in size with some going over 20 inches.
Is there a medical facility in North Park?
Yes, we have a medical clinic.
Additional Activities:
Within the park, there are many trailheads great for hiking and biking. There are also a few outfitters that offer horseback riding around the park. Within a short drive from North Park in all directions, towns are offering other activities. North of Walden 1 hour is Saratoga, Wyoming, which is famous for natural hot springs. To the West, one hour is Steamboat Springs, which offers many activities such as, horseback riding, hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, and great shopping. And to the South of Walden is Grand County, which features three great Mountain towns, Winter Park, Grand Lake, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter Park is well known for its Alpine Slide and Mountain Bike trails.